Ryanair backs down in battle over pilot unions

Ryanair has reversed decades of policy to recognise pilot unions for the first time, in a significant concession aimed at averting strikes next week by cockpit crew at the start of the busy Christmas season. Europe's biggest airline by passenger number said it had written to pilot unions in several countries including Ireland, Britain, Germany and Italy, inviting them to start talks with a view to recognising the groups as official representatives. "Christmas flights are very important to our customers and we wish to remove any worry or concern that they may be disrupted by pilot industrial action next week," said Michael O'Leary, Ryanair chief executive. The shift by Ryanair follows a damaging scheduling crisis at the airline, which was triggered by a shortage of cockpit crew and a mess-up with pilot rotas. Impact, the Irish union that represents Dublin pilots, said on Friday that it was considering correspondence from Ryanair and would respond in due course.